Lindores, The Casks of Lindores, STR Wine Barrique

Scraped, Toasted, and Re-charred wine barrique aging, this is the second of three bottlings in the ‘Casks of Lindores Series,’ intended to highlight the wine's fruit-forward character. Nose: Fresh oranges, plums, a subtle hint of aniseed and barrel spice. There's a buttery toffee-like suggestion that deepens the spices and perhaps slightly overshadows the malt profile. Palate: Immediately struck by a strong wood presence, earthy spices, and warmth. Deep, stewed plum with spices. A generous amount of honey and toast. Very straightforward with no real evolution. Finish: Long. Initially, I thought it was medium, but then some brighter summer fruits emerge as strawberry jam sweetness. The wood here is creamy and walks a fine line between caramel richness and oaky astringency. The rich wood character is the main focus here. I anticipated the brighter citrus and jammy notes from the MCDXCIV would be dominant, but the rich wood is the unexpected winner. It gives the impression of a rich port cask. And while I enjoy a good port cask, I question if the excellent new make spirit is diminished by this prominent cask influence. Once again, Lindores achieved their objective. Showcase the individual STR wine cask that is part of the MCDXCIV; direct and clearly focused. [Displayed with a Torridonian Sandstone, the UK's oldest sedimentary rock formation at 1 billion years old. The formation consists of sediments reworked in river systems from fan deposits originating from an ancient mountain front. This particular sandstone is an arkose, rich in feldspars. The red color is due to extensive iron oxide alteration.] New make: 3.25/5 Aqua Vitae Small Batch: 3.5/5 MCDXCIV: 4/5 Bourbon cask: 3.5/5 STR wine barrique cask: 3.5/5

Wow, much better than I anticipated. If you're expecting a typical Scotch, it's a 3.8. If you appreciate when distillers take a unique approach to Scotch, it's a 4.8. It's become a new regular in my collection.

I finally had the chance to try this. The fruity notes on both the aroma and taste were captivating. If you enjoy fruity flavors, this might be a great choice for you. It's very pleasant.